'What's Up Your Butt' Billboard Blocked In Washington

KENNEWICK, Wash. -- A health board in Washington state has reversed itself and voted against endorsing a colon cancer awareness campaign that uses billboards saying, "What's up your butt?"

The Tri-City Herald reports that Wednesday's vote by the Benton Franklin Health District in Kennewick, Wash., was in response to complaints the ads are in poor taste.

The butt billboards were earlier displayed in Yakima to raise colorectal cancer awareness and encourage people to get screened for the disease.

Comments

[Cougar90210]

09:34 PM on 05/27/2011

I don't find this particular ad campaign offensive at all. Sure, some kids are going to make "butt" jokes for about 3 minutes after passing this billboard in the car, but here's a news flash: Kids are going to make "butt" jokes no matter what.

What is really offensive is that some would suggest that addressing one of the most preventable types of cancer (yet one of the most common) is somehow offensive by its very nature. Yeah, what goes on in the lower reaches of the alimentary canal isn't exactly a topic for dinner table conversation, but avoiding the subject entirely because it is "offensive" is flat out dumb.

I am a colon cancer survivor, and I was lucky. I ignored the initial onset of troublesome symptoms, and my doctor attributed them to other maladies (think Preparation H here). Finally, I had a colonoscopy, and the cancer was detected, but still early enough to address it surgically. I'm here, 11 years later, to tell the tale (tail?), and I am a firm advocate of telling people to be screened, especially if there is a family history of colon cancer.

So, no, I don't find the ad campaign offensive at all. I think it might get someone who has been in denial (like I was) thinking about what the real problem might be. And if they're as lucky as I have been, maybe they would act before it was too late.

[graceaustin]

09:30 PM on 05/27/2011

It gets attention, and isn't such a big deal. And....it could lighten up someone agonizing about being tested....and maybe save a life.

[MIMom]

09:20 PM on 05/27/2011

I think it's funny and it gets attention, which is what you want a billboard to do.

What I DON'T like is seeing that boy little boy's picture (the one found in Maine) on my sidebar as being "h0t on facebook". Ugh.

[DeeperLove]

09:19 PM on 05/27/2011

I don't understand why we just don't care about being age-appropriate when it comes to what children see and hear. We expose them for our convenience... So sad. We can do better... and still get relevant messages to the public.

[aliengirl]

09:02 PM on 05/27/2011

If it gets people attention why not? I don't find this billboard offensive at all my dad had colon cancer anything that works.

[bridgeman]

09:05 PM on 05/27/2011

X2

[pipetoe]

08:51 PM on 05/27/2011

If it was some hippie or prostitute on the picture it would be totally appropriate in a state like WA.

[ExcellentObservation]

08:55 PM on 05/27/2011

Rural and eastern WA is as rightwingery as they come- you'd love it there. But don't let your ignorance of America stop you from throwing your muck around the place.

[Cougar90210]

09:12 PM on 05/27/2011

I don't have a clue about the politics of Washington state, but your second sentence resonates with me. And I love your micro-bio. That would be a great one for most of us . . . but you beat us to it. Congrats! F

[Caroleeena]

08:46 PM on 05/27/2011

Someone should ask the health board what's up THEIR butt.

And to say "What's up your butt" is in poor taste is to conjure a mental picture I didn't need, thank you very much.

[GCurry]

08:39 PM on 05/27/2011

That health board should get the pole out their a**.

[MAX1]

08:04 PM on 05/27/2011

Butt I can say Rectal...
... Because that's found in a Church.

YES?

[Scottsman]

08:07 PM on 05/27/2011

Sequim is the same way . But somehow are clinic is always busy , go figure

[MAX1]

08:00 PM on 05/27/2011

So your colon is NOT in, up, or near your butt?

[Sir Guy Grand]

07:58 PM on 05/27/2011

I hate to sound like a prude, but what about that handful of parents left in the country who still would like to raise innocent, couth, non-vulgar children? Crude messages and images are so ubiquitous and widely accepted now that you really don't have the option of shielding your kids anymore.

[Mr House]

08:31 PM on 05/27/2011

You are a prude. If you think the word "butt" is crude, you're living in the wrong century.

[Sir Guy Grand]

06:43 PM on 05/31/2011

I don't. Neither do I think "up" or "your" is crude.

[MsMarchHare]

08:39 PM on 05/27/2011

and you think one of the very first words kids are aware of and giggle at isn't "BUTT"?

Crimeny.

[Caroleeena]

08:47 PM on 05/27/2011

I find "Crimeny" crude and offensive. What does it mean again? I need to know in case the kids ask.

[Mister Grumpy]

07:24 PM on 05/27/2011

The adverstisment would have been more appropriate if Palins face had been on it.............

[Caroleeena]

08:48 PM on 05/27/2011

It's so far up her own butt they couldn't get a good shot.

[JoeGdr]

07:16 PM on 05/27/2011

That ad is about as offensive as an episode of the PBS NewsHour. Poor taste? Please.

[wa-st-concerned]

07:11 PM on 05/27/2011

Typical republican area......poor humor and bad messaging.....